Transom cable boot question

Clay23

Recruit
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
2
Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and a new boat owner as I just purchased a 2005 Tahoe Q4 Sport OB from my brother in law. I know Tahoe is known for some dodgy quality issues but I couldn't pass on the ridiculous price of the boat. It's in great shape, had very little use in freshwater and then sat for a year unused. It has a Mercury 90 ELPTO outboard.

On Sunday I had a buddy marine mechanic look at it, we checked it over, replaced a decaying fuel line that was keeping the motor from running more than a 30 seconds and then I proceeded to spend the next six hours putting the boat through it's paces on the water and it performed flawlessly. The only thing I noticed was the amount of water in the bilge was not normal. The only thing I can think of is the rubber boot that the cables from the motor run through into the transom looked a little worn out and maybe water was coming in through there.

Can I replace that boot fairly easily and is it supposed to be completely sealed?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me.
 

moosehead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
437
Re: Transom cable boot question

How much water did you take on over 6 hours? Put her up on the trailer, nose up, and spray some water into the bilge to look for water leaks on thru hull fitments.
 

Clay23

Recruit
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Transom cable boot question

A significant amount. gallons probably. When I removed the drain plug it drained for a few minutes. I ran the bilge pump regularly during that six hour period too. I can only think that when I slowed down water washed up in the back and entered through that cable boot. I'll try your suggestion this afternoon and see what happens. Thanks

I'm really new to all this but have learned a lot just browsing and searching the forum.
My marine tech friend isn't always readily available and I don't want to bother him constantly so this forum is the next best thing.
 
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